The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-01-20
FRANK VARNEY'S CHOICE.

all its rays on the tiny enclosure in the
corner which served for the telegraph
office.
1t was hot, dusty, and uncomfortable,
and the spirits of the little operator
were ct the lowest ebb. She was 20
tired of it all, tired of the noise and con.
fusion, and the staring, unmannerly
crowd; tired even of the ceaseless clat-
ter of the instruments that she had once
thought so musical.
"Whero are your blanks?" said .
CHEEKY, manly voice at the little receiv-
ing window. ooh, beg pardon, here
they are" And then q moment later
'What beastly pens you telegraph peo-
pie always have! Do you buy all the
def,'nct pens of the public schools for
the use of your patrons?"
She raised her head impatiently, and
encountered pair of mischievous brown
eyes, that were regarding her With
rather perplcxed look.
As he met her eyes, he redeemed
little, and said:
"Can you send this message through
for me at once?"
eyes, sir. Thank you'll"
"A very warm day. Good afternoonr
The straw hat was lifted from his
brown curls for moment; and then
after another prolonged stare he was
gone.
Laura Arnold looked after him with
tumult of pain in her heart.
And it was thus they met after five
years of separation-they who had been
such friends in tho old days. How silly
she had been to think of him, and cherish
his fond. foolish, parting words, all these
years! And now, when at last they
net, he had no word Of greeting for her,
Only the careless courtesy of a stranger
She knew he had been successful, and
was eminent in his profession. Perhaps
he did not care to recognize his old
playfellow, for life had not gone smooth
ly with her since they parted; and she
told herself proudly that she was glad
he had made no sign.
Il beg your PARDON" said voice at
her elbow; and she turned quickly to
see him back again. "Surely I cannot
be mistaken. It is Laura Arnold"
eyes, it is Laura Arnold" she said,
as she put her hand in his. II am very
glad to see you, DR.. Varney."
1T was Laura and Frank between
us two, once upon time," he said,
holding the slim white hand closely in
his. care you going to put me at
arm's-length because did not at once
recognize my little gypsy in the very
proper, not to say stately, young lady
who looked ready to snub me at the
slightest provocation
Laura and Frank let it be, them"
she said brightly. "But what has
brought you from home this hot wealth
sr?"
"The medical convention and-other
business; but please may I come inside,
pnd talk to you comfortable"
eff you will make yourself as compact
rs possible This Office was not intend
cd for the accommodation of people who
have six feet of perpendicularity to dis
pose Of"
He came in and sat down opposite
her, watching her while she worked, and
making gay comments on the people as
they passed.
What a handsome, goodly face it was,
and how pleasant to have him there,
chatting of tho old home and friends,
until she seemed to smell the mignonette
in the old garden, and hear the babble
of the little stream in the meadow, where
they two had spent so many happy
hours!"
"Do you know, he lid, as he watched
her pen glide swiftly over the paper,
"the telegraph has always been the
mystery of mysteries to me? have not
a much better idea of it now than had
when we pounded the poles, on our way
home from school, to hear what wasgo-
| ing on over the wires"
1T is not hard to understand" she
said, laughingly. "What were You do
ing when you should have been study
ing your philosophy and familiar sci
ence? You were always an idle boy"
II will be good, now I have found my
little mentor again." he said, leaning
forward, with dangerous fascination
in the brown eyes. II wonder how I
have managed to rub along all these
years without you"
II think you have borne up wonder
fully. You don't seem to have peaked
and pined."
''Well, no-that is not in my line.
But that is more than can say for you,
Laura. Suppose We make a bargain?
We will exchange trade secrets. You
shall explain this mystery of the tele
graph ,.of which you are the high priest
ess, and will tell you how to get back
some of tho old-time roses in those pale
cheeks of yours"
''Agreed!" said Laura merrily.
"When shall we commence?"
| cat once My first prescription is
that you shall 60 out with me for a
drive tomorrow morning."
'"rhat would be very pleasant; but I
am afraid it is not possible. must be
here at eight o'clock"
Certainly; and I will be at your
boarding house at six. We will have
two hours in the pleasantest part of tho
day, and I will Sc: you down here at
eight o'clock"
'It would be very nice," said Laura
wistfully.
''Of course it would, he said, rising
to 90. and holding her hand fast: YOU
will come, Laura, for the sake of Aud
Lang Syne?"
''For tho sake of Auld Lang Syne,
theu," she said, rising blushing dim
pied face and shining eyes to him, very
different from the woe-begone counte-
nance that had greeted him when he
come.
DR.. Varneys handsome thoroughbreds
were at the door of the shabby little
cottage where Laura boarded punctual-
~ at six the following morning, and sne
was waiting for him.
The prescription seemed to be work.
ing wonders already. for certainly there
was no lack OF roses in her bright face
in the morning.
What a pleasant drive it was, out OF
the smoke and dust of the noisy town,
into the cool sweetness of the country,
where the apple-trees were scattering
their perfumed blossoms in snowy